Luke Akehurst has been elected MP for North Durham.

The Labour candidate won the seat with a total number of 16,562 votes.

Previous Labour MP Kevan Jones did not contest the seat, being replaced by controversial candidate Luke Akehurst.

Accepting his seat, Mr Akehurst thanked the outgoing MP, saying that the amount of support fro Mr Jones on from voters on the doorstep was a testament to his years of hard work for the County Durham seat. 

Mr Akehurt said: "He has been an exemplary constituency MP, fighting incredibly hard for local people and communities. The affection in which Kevin is held is is apparent to everyone canvassing.

"I can only hope to emulate his service to local people and communities."

He added: "I am proud to have worked for the last four years on Labour's National Executive committee, to change the Labour Party from a party that suffered one of its worst defeats ever in 2019 to what looks like being one of our greatest ever victories tonight. 

"The county has chosen Labour and chosen change, and North Durham has chosen Labour and chosen change, and I can't wait to get on with the job that the people of North Durham have elected me to do. 

*This is a breaking news story and will continue to be updated*

Full results for North Durham

LAB - Luke Akehurst:16,562

REF - Andrew Husband: 10,689

CON - George Carter: 6,492

LD - Craig Martin: 4,208

GRN - Sunny Moon-Schott: 2,366

WRK - Chris Bradburn: 928

SDP - Tom Chittenden: 320
 

41,727 total votes were cast in North Durham in total, with a 56.98 per cent turnout.